Recap: Miami vs. Atlanta

Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Kris Medlen worked 6 1/3 strong innings to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 5-2 win over the Miami Marlins in the opener of a four-game set.

Medlen (13-12) allowed two runs on six hits while fanning six to pick up his third straight win.

"It's pretty fun to look back and see that I started 1-6 and kind of turned things around," Medlen said. "I'm not the one scoring the runs, and they had a huge inning for me today. It's kind of what's gotten me to this point this year."

Evan Gattis had a two-run double, while Chris Johnson and Elliot Johnson finished with one RBI apiece for the Braves, who snapped a four-game skid.

With the win, Atlanta remains 12 games ahead of the Washington Nationals for the top spot in the NL East.

Craig Kimbrel worked a perfect ninth to notch his league leading 45th save of the season.

Ed Lucas drove in both runs for the Marlins, losers in four of their last five games.

"This time is so important for guys. I think you learn the most about your ballclub in the last three weeks of the season because guys have a lot to play for. They're playing for next year. They're trying to finish off good years, maybe finish up a not-so-good year," said Marlins manager Mike Redmond.

Henderson Alvarez (3-4) yielded five runs on five hits and three walks over four innings to absorb the loss.

The Braves, who were hitless through the first three innings, broke through with five runs in the fourth. Justin Upton and Freddie Freeman stroked back- to-back doubles to open the frame before Gattis laced a two-bagger to left field to clear the bases. After Brian McCann walked, Chris Johnson singled to right to score Gattis.